Cabinet construction for an amusement game device

ABSTRACT

An amusement game having a cabinet wherein the cabinet is assembled by attaching cabinet pieces together using knock-down fasteners.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/684,998, entitled “CABINET CONSTRUCTION FOR AN AMUSEMENT GAME DEVICE”, filed on Aug. 20, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to amusement game devices and, more particularly, to a cabinet construction for an amusement game device such as a pinball machine.

Amusement game devices, such as pinball machines, are well known in the art. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,737 (“the '737 patent”) illustrates and describes an amusement game device having a cabinet which houses a playfield assembly including a playing field or playfield which may be inclined. The playfield assembly is covered by a transparent panel of glass or plastic through which a player may view the playfield assembly and its contents. As further described in the '737 patent, the cover panel is maintained in position by use of a handguard (also known as a lock-down bar) that is mounted to the front molding of the cabinet. After removing the handguard, the cover panel may be slid off the front of the cabinet to thereby allow operator access to the playfield assembly. In addition, the playfield assembly is slidably and pivotally mounted to the cabinet to thereby allow an operator to remove the playfield assembly and/or access the underside of the playfield assembly.

SUMMARY

The following describes an improved cabinet assembly for an amusement game device, such as a pinball machine.

In addition, the following describes improved playfield features for use with the playfield assembly carried by the improved cabinet.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the amusement game device described hereinafter will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments which are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the amusement game device described hereinafter reference may be had to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary playfield assembly supporting an exemplary ramp structure constructed according to the description which follows;

FIG. 2 is a further view of the exemplary ramp structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front, isometric view of an exemplary amusement game device cabinet constructed according to the description which follows;

FIG. 4 is a rear, isometric view of the amusement game device cabinet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the amusement game device cabinet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a further front, isometric view of the amusement game device cabinet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a detail showing an exemplary knockdown fastener as used in construction of the amusement game device cabinet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a transparent, front isometric view of the amusement game device cabinet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a transparent, rear isometric view of the amusement game device cabinet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of an exemplary amusement game device constructed according to the description which follows;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the amusement game device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front isometric view of the amusement game device of FIG. 10 illustrating a hinged, transparent playfield assembly cover in an open position;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the amusement game device of FIG. 10 illustrating the cover in the open position;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the amusement game device of FIG. 10 illustrated the cover in a closed position; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of the amusement game device of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the Figures, an amusement game device, in the exemplary form of a pinball machine 10 similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,737 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), is now described. More particularly, the amusement game device 10 includes a cabinet 12 which houses various apparatus used to define play of a game. Game play may be commenced in response to insertion of money—paper or coins referred to collectively as “coins”—into a coin accepting device, upon exercising of credits earned, or by otherwise making game play active. Upon activation of the game in this manner, game play, in the case of a pinball machine, is defined upon an inclined playfield assembly 14 that supports a number of playfield accessories or devices. More particularly, in the case of a pinball machine, game play is generally defined through the use of a pair of flippers 18 to propel a ball relative to the playfield 14 and accessories/devices associated with the playfield 14. The playfield 14 is usually inclined from the horizontal such that the ball tends to eventually roll back down the playfield 14 in the direction of the flippers 18. While not intended to be limiting, the playfield accessories or devices may include elements such as bumpers, ramps, and/or targets. The playfield 14 may be covered by a transparent or glass sheet cover 25 to permit viewing of the playfield 14. In addition to the foregoing, the playfield 14 includes a plunger element 32 which shoots the ball up an alley onto the playfield 14. Other player-activated elements, typically in the form of push-buttons on the sides of the cabinet 12, are usually provided for controlling operation of the flippers 18. The amusement game 10 may also includes a backbox 90 which is mounted to overlay a top rear portion of the cabinet 12 and which contains a game display, such as a dot matrix display, CRT, or the like. The backbox 90 may also support speakers associated with the game sound system. Within the backbox 90 may be located various of the electronic circuits for controlling the operation of the playfield, the display, general illumination, and the sound system.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower limit of the playfield assembly 14 is defined by one or more upstanding walls 40. The walls 40 are preferably fabricated by attaching laser cut flat pieces of transparent plastic to the playfield using hardware 42. A drain hole 44 is defined within the walls 40, intermediate the flippers 18, through which the ball exits the playfield 14. The drain hole 44 leads to a ball holding area 46 which may be sized and arranged to hold one or more balls. A solenoid activated kicking device 48 is positioned adjacent to a lower area of the ball holding area 46 and is provided to move a ball into the area adjacent to the plunger element 32. The plunger element 32 is attached to the top of the playfield 14 so as to be indexed accurately to the alley. The plunger element 32 will extend from an opening formed in the cabinet front piece 50 to thereby allow for interaction with the plunger element 32 by a player. The area 14A of the playfield that is below/behind the walls 40 can be hidden from the view of the player by providing appropriate view blocking material to the cover 25.

For use in illuminating the playfield 14, multi-colored or single colored LEDs can be arranged around the playfield as described in U.S. Published Application No. 2008/0036143 which published application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The playfield 14 can be constructed from a plywood core sandwiched by high density fiber board surfaces. A playfield 14 so constructed provides a smooth surface that requires minimal finishing for the rolling ball while providing a core that will have the ability to hold the fasteners that are used to attach the playfield 14 to the cabinet 12 as described below.

Turning to FIG. 2, an exemplary ramp structure 60 for mounting to the playfield 14 is illustrated. The exemplary ramp structure 60, which is used to carry a ball during game play, is fabricated by assembling laser cut flat plastic pieces on a laser cut flat plastic sheet that is provided as a ball supporting surface 62. As shown in FIG. 1, the ball supporting surface sheet 62 may be attached in an elevated manner relative to the playfield 14. The plastic pieces can be attached to the ball supporting surface sheet 62 by use of posts, other fasteners, and/or by use of interlocking tabs adapted to be slid into correspondingly formed grooves to provide a three dimensional structure as shown. As compared to ramps made using a thermoforming process, the subject ramp structure 60 eliminates the need for tooling and facilitates rapid design during product development. For sensing the ball during game play, the playfield 14 may additionally support ball sensors that use a combined reflective infrared emitter/receiver device. In addition or alternatively, hall effect sensors could be utilized to sense the ball (in replacement of roll-over mechanical switches). Still further, such sensors, particularly the combined reflective infrared emitter/receiver device, can be utilized in other playfield features, such as pop bumpers or the like, to thereby eliminate the need for mechanical switch adjusting. The sensors can be linked to one or more processing circuits via use of laminated, flexible printed circuit film to minimize the use of/need for cable harnesses. Additional compactness and cost savings can also be achieved by, for example, using a combination slingshot mechanism powered by a single solenoid.

For carrying the playfield 14, the cabinet 12 is constructed from a plurality of panels, such as front panel 50, left and right side panels 70, end panel 72, support panels 74, bottom panel 75, and backbox supporting panel 76. As will be appreciated, these panels may themselves be formed using one or more panel elements. More particularly, the panels are powder-coated mdf (medium-density fiberboard) panels that provide a higher finish quality (due to consistency of manufacturing process) at a relatively lower cost. The use of powder-coating also allows for color matching of the panels to theme aesthetics of the amusement game 10 and allows for color to be introduced to any exposed inside walls of the amusement game cabinet 12, e.g., in the area above the playfield 14. As further illustrated, the corners 70A of the left and right side panels 70 are preferably provided with radiused edges for comfortably receiving hands of user as they access the buttons for activating the flippers 18. The provision of such radiused edges is advantageous as the subject design eliminates the use of/need for a handguard (also known as a lock-down bar).

To assemble the cabinet 12, the cabinet panels are preferably provided with pre-fabricated openings used to hold and/or receive knock-down fastening hardware 80 as shown, for example, in FIG. 7. By way of non-limiting example, knock-down fastening hardware is utilized to attach the support panels 74 (which may comprise side panel to side panel upstanding brace panel 74A and front panel to back panel/side panel to side panel horizontal brace panel 74B as seen in FIG. 8) to front panel 50, to side panels 70, and back panel 72. The front panel 50 and the back panel 72 may include structures 50A and 72A (preferably provided to the panels when shipped) for use in attaching the support panel 74 thereto. The side panels 70 may also be attached directly to the end panel 72 and the front panel 50 and the bottom panel 75 may likewise be attached directly to the side panels 70, the front panel 50 and rear panel 72 via the use of such knock-down fasteners as needed. In addition, the side panels 70 may include rails 70B (preferably povided to the side panels when shipped) for supporting the playfield 14 which is also intended to be attached to the cabinet 12.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the game device 10 can be shipped in an unassembled state with the cabinet 12 then being constructed by attaching the panels together using the knock-down fasteners and by attaching the pre-assembly playfield to the cabinet 12. Once attached to the cabinet 12, the playfield 14 will also act as a structural member providing support for the cabinet 12. Furthermore, if any of the panels are damaged in handling, transit, or use, the cabinet 12 can be quickly de-assembled and the damaged panel or panels quickly replaced. Still further, decorative grade knock-down hardware can be provided which hardware allows the consumer to assemble the cabinet with minimum labor and tools (e.g., by use of an Allen wrench alone or use of an Allen wrench and screwdriver). It will also be appreciated that the assembly may includes legs 902 that are to be attached to the assembly cabinet 12.

For covering the playfield 14, the transparent cover 25, which may be a glass cover or the like, is attached via use of a hinge structure 82 to the backbox supporting panel 76. The hinge structure 82 is provided to allow an operator to quickly raise the cover 25 to, for example, clean the playfield 14, free a stuck ball, or the like. When assembled, the front of the cover 25 is intended to sit on a top edge 50B of the front panel 50 while being substantially co-planar with top edges 70C of the side panels 70. While not required, the cover can be attached to the backbox supporting panel 76 when shipped to eliminate the need for the consumer to attach the same during construction.

The backbox 90, which is mounted to the backbox supporting panel 76, is preferably constructed from vacuum-formed plastic to minimize weight and lower cost while providing a high-finish quality with ease of assembly. The backbox 90 supports at least one speaker and preferably includes a form of backlighting and a display device. The backlighting may be provided by LEDs that are mounted directly to a CPU board that is carried within the backbox 90. The mounting hardware used to attach the CPU board can thereby act as a heat sink for the LEDs. The CPU board is preferably coupled to an electrical system having a connector which is adapted to releasably mate with a connector provided to the electrical system used with the playfield 14. In this regard, the game device 10 is provided with a modular electronics system which is designed to allow scalable expansion to support various product configurations and to support game features of varying complexity.

In a preferred embodiment, the panels, pre-assembled playfield, cover, legs, and backbox are together sized to conform to UPS shipping requirements in dimensions and weight.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangement disclosed is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An amusement game, comprising: a plurality of cabinet panel pieces having pre-formed openings for accepting knock-down hardware used to assembly the cabinet panel pieces into an amusement game cabinet; and a playfield which is adapted to be attached to the amusement game cabinet and thereby provide structural support to the amusement game cabinet.
 2. The amusement game as recited in claim 1, wherein the playfield is adapted to be attached to the amusement game on an incline and wherein the amusement game comprises a pinball machine.
 3. The amusement game as recited in claim 2, wherein the playfield is pre-assembled and shipped with the plurality of cabinet pieces and the knock-down hardware.
 4. The amusement game as recited in claim 3, wherein the plurality of cabinet panel pieces are powder-coated mdf panels.
 5. The amusement game as recited in claim 4, wherein the playfield comprises a plywood core sandwiched by high density fiber board.
 6. The amusement game as recited in claim 5, wherein a plunger unit is pre-attached to the pre-assembled playfield and indexed to a ball launching alley.
 7. The amusement game as recited in claim 6, comprising a cover hingedly attached to the amusement game cabinet and covering the playfield.
 8. The amusement game as recited in claim 7, wherein an end of the cover rests on an upper edge of a font panel of the amusement game cabinet and is substantially co-planer with upper edges of left and right side panels of the amusement game cabinet.
 9. The amusement game as recited in claim 8, wherein the upper edges of the left and right side panels of the amusement game cabinet adjacent to the upper edge of the front panel of the amusement game cabinet are provided with radiused edges.
 10. The amusement game as recited in claim 9, comprising a backbox assembly attached to the amusement game cabinet.
 11. The amusement game as recited in claim 10, wherein the backbox comprises a vacuum-formed plastic structure.
 12. The amusement game as recited in claim 11, wherein the backbox carries a CPU and the CPU is coupled to a connector adapted to releasable engage with a connector associated with an electrical system of the playfield.
 13. The amusement game as recited in claim 12, comprising LEDs mounted directly to the board carrying the CPU.
 14. The amusement game as recited in claim 1, comprising a ramp playfeature mounted to the playfield, the ramp playfeature comprising a plurality of flat plastic pieces arranged into a three-dimensional structure.
 15. The amusement game as recited in claim 14, wherein the plurality of flat plastic pieces comprise corresponding tabs and grooves for allowing the plurality of flat plastic pieces to be placed into slidable engagement with one another. 